 "Khalid Jamil is the new Indian football team coach, replacing Manolo Marquez. Image: Jamshedpur FC")
Khalid Jamil made his first major announcement since being appointed head coach of the Indian men’s football team, unveiling 35 probables for a camp that will be taking place in Bengaluru. The camp, which gets underway on Saturday, is being organised in preparation for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup that takes place in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from 29 August to 8 September.
A total of 22 players have reported to the camp so far while the remaining 13 are expected to join once they’re done with their Durand Cup engagements with their respective clubs, as per the latest release shared by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Eight of those 13 players are from Mohun Bagan SG, who are set for a derby showdown against East Bengal in the fourth and final quarter-final.
The AIFF has put out a public statement through their social media channels, urging the clubs to release the remaining players at the earliest.
India have been placed in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup along with co-hosts Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan and will play their matches in Hisor. The winners of the two groups will lock horns in the final on 8 September in Tashkent while the runners-up will meet in the third-place playoff on the same day in Hisor.
The camp will also help the players prepare for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore (away and home).
Players who have arrived in Bengaluru for the Blue Tigers camp
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hrithik Tiwari.
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Alex Saji, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Sunil Benchamin.
Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Danish Farooq Bhat, Nikhil Prabhu, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh Kumam.
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh.
Head Coach: Khalid Jamil
Players yet to join the camp in Bengaluru
Mohun Bagan SG: Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Vishal Kaith.
East Bengal FC: Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Albino Gomes.
Jamshedpur FC: Manvir Singh, Jithin MS.